Albany County Republicans have chosen their candidate for the state Senate seat held by Neil Breslin -- and he is neither of the two men whose names have so far circulated publicly.

Bethlehem resident and activist Michael Carey leaped into the race with much fanfare this week, but the party's executive committee has chosen Robert Domenici, a businessman and retired Army lieutenant colonel who's served on the South Colonie school board for nearly 12 years.

"He has a very good moral compass on social issues, he's dramatically contributed to his community in public service to the school district and BOCES for an extended period of time," Chairman John A. Graziano said.

"He's built his business successfully and hired people at the arsenal," Graziano said, "and that's the kind of person that we'd like to get to see get into government."

Bells ring, lawyers plan

If you listened closely, you could hear the lawyers plotting.

The scene: The Colonie Planning Board as it heard public comments on Tuesday on a proposal to allow a cell tower to be built, hidden inside a church bell tower. Opponents were out in force, wearing large stickers with the words cell tower inside the universal no symbol. Supporters of the Loudonville Presbyterian Church, which would host the cell tower, were quieter, although one churchgoer told opponents if they didn't like the idea of a cell tower in their neighborhood, they should toss their phones. The meeting lasted four hours, with three of them focused on the cell tower.

Verizon Wireless had half a dozen staff members and consultants present, with attorney Michael Cusack taking the lead.

With all parties aware the case could end up in court, both sides appeared to be positioning themselves.

C.J. O'Rourke, the board's chairman, swiftly cut off speakers who tried to discuss the effects of radio waves on children. Federal telecommunications law bars communities from rejecting cell towers based on health concerns.

Board members who spoke emphasized other issues, such as the area's historic nature or the appearance of the bell tower.

When board member Peter Gannon stated his viewpoint that he thought the tower was inappropriate for the neighborhood, Cusack pounced. "Have you factored into your thinking that the bell tower is an acceptable use?" he asked Gannon.

Cusack accused the board of both a hidden agenda, to reject the tower based on the radio wave fears, and of caving to public pressure. He called the Loudonville neighbors of the project "a well-organized, well-heeled community opposition."

The town fired back, accusing the lawyer of putting words in their mouths. Town Attorney Michael Magguilli stood and said it was inappropriate for the Verizon lawyer to make accusations based on presumptions.

"Mr. Cusack's statements about his feelings are out of order and for him to attack this board is unprofessional," town attorney Michael Magguilli said.

Party Chairman Dan McCoy dropped the news at the party's otherwise uneventful spring meeting last week. McCoy, who said the party is currently paying about $2,900-a-month to rent the relatively cramped space its occupied at 22 Colvin for about two decades, said he's looking to put together a building committee to research the party's options.

The party's current five-year lease expires in next May.

"It would be nice to have our own building and a place to call home," McCoy said.

Insiders have said the party is eying a spot downtown in the vicinity of a landmark, roof-top-dwelling K-9, but McCoy declined to discuss any of the details in part because the party has only just begun looking and because he wouldn't want to jeopardize any potential negotiations.

The plan, however, is for the party to become its own landlord.

"I'd rather have someplace that we can hang our hat and spend more money on campaigns," McCoy said.